International
Dr. Rolando del Carmen was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in laws from Silliman University, his alma mater in the Philippines.Dr. Rolando del Carmen was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in laws from his alma mater in The Philippines in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the legal field.
“The honorary degree is in recognition of your sterling contributions to both the practice and study of law,” said Ben S. Malayang III, President of Silliman University. “As a Filipino in the United States, you have maintained strong roots to your country of birth whose people you continue to bless with your generosity through Silliman University and other organizations.”
The Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, is the first degree of its kind awarded to an alumnus of Silliman University in the institution’s 115-year history. In addition to his accomplishments in the United States, Dr. del Caren continues to impact the lives of people in the Philippines through student scholarships, faculty fellowships, and grants to broaden and sustain legal advocacy work. Among his contributions to Silliman University are the Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development, the Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, the College of Business Administration, the Senior High School Program, and scholarships for high performing honor students.
“I am deeply honored by this totally unexpected award from my alma mater in the Philippines,” said Dr. del Carmen. “I share this award with the hundreds of wonderful PhD graduates and colleagues I have had over my 50 years of teaching and research in the College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston. Without them this honor would not have been possible. I mean this most sincerely and express my thanks to them."
Dr. del Carmen, one of the leading experts on criminal justice law, received his Bachelor of Arts and his Bachelor of Laws from Silliman University before continuing his studies in the United States. His Doctorate in the Science of Law is from the University of Illinois, and he also earned a Master of Law from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Comparative Law at Southern Methodist University.
Dr. del Carmen published many books, book chapters, and articles in law and is among the top in his field both in productivity and the quality of his work. His books on criminal procedure, criminal law and practice, judiciary, arbitration, police legal liability, constitutional law, probation, parole, prisoners and the law, administrative law, and evidence, are used in colleges and universities across the United States and have been translated into Chinese, Korean, and Japanese for use in other countries.
Throughout his career, Dr. del Carmen received many accolades, including the Academy Fellow Award, the Bruce Smith Sr. Award, and the Founders Award from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. He was also the first recipient of the Regents Professor Award at Sam Houston State University. He has served as a consultant to criminal justice agencies and has lectured in more than 40 states and countries.
Dr. del Carmen officially retired from Sam Houston State University in December, but will continue to hold university office and mentor Ph.D. students who are working with law-oriented articles for publication.